Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy said, "Kahramanmaraş is one of our cities that carries a strong heritage from literature to handicrafts, from music to culinary culture. The title of UNESCO City of Literature reveals the value of this rich accumulation on an international scale. By bringing the Turkey Culture Road Festival to Kahramanmaraş for the first time, we aim to bring this great cultural potential of our city to a wider audience." he said.
Minister Ersoy also drew attention to the reconstruction process of Kahramanmaraş after the February 6 earthquakes and said, "Kahramanmaraş's will to rise again after the great pain it experienced is a source of great pride for all of us. We bear the responsibility of accompanying the revival and reconstruction process of our city not only with its physical structures, but also with its cultural and social life. We believe in the healing, unifying power of culture and art and enabling us to look to the future with hope. On the occasion of this festival, we will celebrate Kahramanmaraş's historical places, art, “We will bring literature, crafts and human stories back to the center of life.” he said.
Minister Ersoy stated that Kahramanmaraş cuisine will also meet visitors within the scope of the festival, and that the traditional flavors of the city will be introduced through 52 Taste Points. Stating that the unique flavors of Maraş cuisine are an integral part of the cultural heritage, Minister Ersoy said that the festival will be a comprehensive meeting point for those who want to discover the gastronomic richness of the city.
KAHRAMANMARAŞ'S CULINARY CULTURE WILL COME TOGETHER WITH VISITORS AT 52 TASTE POINTS
Kahramanmaraş's gastronomy program will be hosted by Sinem Özler, who is included in the Michelin guide. Chef Claudio Chinali, chef Kerem Bilginer, television program presenter and food narrator Sedef İybar, gastronomy writer Ebru Erke, Kahramanmaraş gastronomy expert Sibel Dedeoğlu, food culture researcher Gamze İneceli İpek and gastronomy writer Talip Bayram will be among the guest names.
Kahramanmaraş's gastronomy culture; It has a unique character with its production tradition shaped over centuries, its geographical richness and the use of locally grown products in the kitchen. Maraş cuisine, where meat, bulgur, yoghurt, tarhana, sumac syrup, red pepper and local herbs are used extensively; It reflects a rich table culture with its strong aromas, sour tastes and traditional cooking techniques. Maraş tarhana, eli böğrüne, sömelek meatballs, sour aya susu, yoghurt-based tattoo vaccine, Persian pilaf, Maraş paçası, stuffed meatballs, mumbar stuffed and çöş börek stand out among the characteristic flavors of the city.
Maraş tarhana; While it reflects the unique culinary heritage of the city by being prepared with yoghurt, horseradish and thyme, dried into thin exhibits and consumed as both snacks and soup, sumac syrup and Maraş pepper add a unique taste and aroma to the dishes. Among the desserts, walnut sausage, samsa, Maraş bun prepared with ravanda syrup and burma kadayıf stand out. Maraş ice cream, the city's world-renowned symbol flavor, stands out as one of the strongest representatives of Kahramanmaraş's gastronomy identity with its thick consistency gained from the use of goat milk and salep. This rich culinary heritage will offer festival visitors the opportunity to discover the unique flavors of Kahramanmaraş and experience the culture of the city on their palate with 52 Taste Points.
MARAS RESIDENTS WILL LISTEN TO SPECIAL NAMES IN THE CONCERT MARATHON
Festival evenings in Kahramanmaraş will be enlivened with concerts to be held at Kahramanmaraş Metropolitan Municipality Fair Center. Within the scope of the concert program, Kıraç, Alişan, Sefo, Ahmet Şafak, Derya Uluğ, Fatma Turgut, Ebru Yaşar, Merve Özbey and Murat Boz will meet with music lovers from Kahramanmaraş.
The festival program will include special concert programs as well as famous artists. Seven different concerts, ranging from the concert of the 6th Corps Regional Band Command to "Neşet Ertaş Folk Songs" where the unforgettable works of Neşet Ertaş will be performed, will be presented to the people of Kahramanmaraş.
A PROGRAM EXTENDS FROM WORKSHOPS TO EXHIBITIONS, FROM CHILDREN'S GAMES TO ACTIVITIES
Kahramanmaraş Culture Road Festival will include "Sacred Relics of the Ottoman Empire" at Kahramanmaraş Museum, "Living Heritage: Kahramanmaraş Exhibition" and "Living Heritage Short Film Screenings" at Kahramanmaraş Castle. The Kahramanmaraş and Anatolian Culture Themed Clothing Exhibition at Kahramanmaraş Metropolitan Municipality Mehmet Akif Ersoy Cultural Center and the From Literature to Embroidery exhibitions at Taş Madrasa will also be open to visitors during the festival.
Theater and musicals will be staged for children at the Kahramanmaraş Culture Road Festival, which is held for the first time. Special children's events ranging from Elsa Children's Musical to Little Dragon Lili will give the little ones joyful moments. At the same time, Children's Village Activities and ASELSAN Children's Festival, which will be established in the Kahramanmaraş Metropolitan Municipality Fair Center Children's Village, will also be a part of the entertainment world of children.
Photography enthusiasts will immortalize the streets that bear traces of the city's deep-rooted past with their own frames at the FotoMaraton Kahramanmaraş and FotoMaraton Kids events. Kahramanmaraş will have unique photographs at the event where the competition is also held.
